Is There a Bad Ending in Dying Light 2?
Yes, there is indeed a “bad ending” in Dying Light 2, though it’s more accurately described as a less desirable outcome compared to the game’s “best” ending. The narrative of Dying Light 2 is complex, with numerous branching paths and choices that significantly impact the final state of Villedor and the fate of its inhabitants. This means you’re not just steering Aiden’s personal journey, but also the city’s. This makes the concept of a “bad” ending quite subjective to the player’s goals and preferred outcomes, but there are clearly paths that lead to less optimistic and more destructive conclusions. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Defining a “Bad” Ending
A “bad” ending in Dying Light 2 isn’t a game-over screen or a failure in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s an ending where the consequences of Aiden’s decisions result in a less favorable outcome for the city of Villedor and some of its key characters. Often, this involves choices that lead to significant losses, chaos, and the perpetuation of conflict. Key factors that contribute to a “bad ending” include:
- Hakon’s Fate: One of the primary determinants is whether Hakon survives. Hakon’s death is a key element in locking in a less desirable outcome.
- Control of the VNC Tower: Handing over control of the VNC Tower to the Peacekeepers (either Juan or Jack Matt), rather than the Nightrunners, moves you toward a darker conclusion.
- Lawan’s Sacrifice: The decision to save Lawan instead of letting her carry out her plan at the end, while seemingly altruistic, can lead to a “bad” ending.
These choices work together to create a domino effect, steering the narrative toward a more grim and pessimistic conclusion.
What Makes a “Bad” Ending Bad?
The “bad” ending often features:
- Increased Violence and Chaos: Villedor is left in a state of turmoil, with factional warfare and rampant infection plaguing the streets.
- Character Losses: Key characters, and even entire factions, could be destroyed by the end of the game, making the world feel more barren.
- Unfulfilled Potential: The potential for a united and prosperous Villedor is lost, replaced by a bleak and uncertain future.
The Path to a Less Desirable Outcome
To achieve a “bad” ending, you need to actively make choices that hinder cooperation and community building in the game.
- Let Hakon Die: This is a crucial step. If Hakon survives, many narrative paths are altered and the best ending becomes more achievable.
- Side with the Peacekeepers at the VNC Tower: Giving the tower to the Peacekeepers, whether it’s Juan or Jack Matt, leans towards a bad ending.
- Prioritize Saving Lawan: While it may seem counter-intuitive, choosing to save Lawan during the final mission leads you to the “bad” ending because it prevents a necessary sacrifice.
By following this path, you effectively set in motion a series of events that result in a less desirable outcome for Villedor and the overall story.
The “Best” Ending vs. The “Bad” Ending
The game’s best ending typically features:
- Hakon Survives: By siding with Lawan in previous quests you can keep him alive.
- Give The Radio Tower To Frank: Frank’s leadership represents cooperation and the potential for a Nightrunner faction.
- Sacrifice Lawan: Allows the missile to destroy the city, removing the risk of further conflict.
By completing these actions, Aiden’s decisions have led to the possibility of a more stable and hopeful future.
A Spectrum of Endings
It’s important to note that Dying Light 2 doesn’t have a binary “good” or “bad” system. Instead, it offers a spectrum of endings, each reflecting the consequences of the player’s choices. While some are clearly more positive than others, the game excels at highlighting the gray areas of morality and consequence. The game’s multiple endings can also include the “Infected Option” which is considered the canon ending. The Infected Option occurs when Lawan decides to detonate bombs at the missile launch site in order to destroy the missiles to save Villedor.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, whether you consider a particular ending “bad” is subjective, but certain outcomes are unequivocally more bleak and less hopeful than others. Understanding the impact of your choices is crucial for navigating the complex narrative landscape of Dying Light 2. By making informed decisions and realizing the impact your actions can have on the city and its people, you will find there are many ways to approach the end, but all endings will have consequences. The game’s detailed endings make playing it through multiple times even more rewarding, as it gives a different context to the story each time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the ending system of Dying Light 2 and provide additional insights for players:
1. How many endings does Dying Light 2 have?
Dying Light 2 has at least five main endings, along with variations depending on your choices, and an obscure secret ending. Your decisions regarding Hakon, the VNC Tower, and Lawan heavily influence which ending you receive.
2. What determines the endings in Dying Light 2?
The primary factors influencing the endings are: the fate of Hakon, who controls the VNC Tower, and whether you choose to save Lawan during the final mission. The faction you give territory to doesn’t impact the ending.
3. Is the Lawan ending considered the best ending?
The Lawan ending, where you leave Villedor with her, is generally considered the “best” ending, though it has a significant cost. To get this ending, you must spare Hakon and give the radio tower to Frank.
4. Does choosing the Peacekeepers or Survivors affect the endings?
Assigning a faction to a tower or station does not affect the endings themselves but can significantly alter gameplay experience. For instance, Survivors are best if you prefer to avoid direct combat, while Peacekeepers are good for those who like to battle.
5. What is the “Infected Option” ending?
The “Infected Option” ending occurs when Lawan sacrifices herself to detonate bombs on the missile launch sites, preventing the missiles from destroying the city. This option is strongly implied as the canon ending in the game.
6. Is it possible to get a truly “good” ending?
The definition of “good” is subjective, but you can achieve an ending where Villedor is saved and some hope for the future exists. This typically involves making choices that lead to cooperation and preventing unnecessary destruction.
7. What happens if I give the VNC Tower to Juan or Jack Matt?
Giving the VNC Tower to either Juan or Jack Matt (the Peacekeepers) moves you towards the less desirable ending, as it weakens the Nightrunners’ position in the city.
8. Should I leave Frank or stay with him?
Choosing to help Frank is vital for getting the best ending. His leadership helps to form the Nightrunners and this leads to the better conclusion.
9. Is it important to spare Hakon?
Yes, sparing Hakon is a crucial step to achieving the best ending. His survival unlocks certain narrative possibilities that are closed off if he dies.
10. What happens if I choose to save Lawan during the final mission?
Choosing to save Lawan during the final mission will prevent the missile strike from occurring, moving you towards a “bad” ending.
11. Can I change my ending after completing the game?
After completing the game, you can continue exploring Villedor, but the ending you received is locked in. However, you can replay the game with different choices to experience other endings.
12. What is the secret ending of Dying Light 2?
The secret ending in Dying Light 2 is a very obscure ending that is hard to achieve in the game. You must do every side quest and complete every story mission, and then make an important choice during the epilogue, which will give you the secret ending. This ending is a unique ending where the ending is not what the player expects, which is why many players are surprised by the secret ending.
13. Is Kyle Crane mentioned in Dying Light 2?
Yes, Kyle Crane is referenced in Dying Light 2, confirming his fate from the first game and the DLC, and that he spread the Harran Virus to the world. He is not related to Aiden, as many players have asked.
14. Can you romance Lawan in Dying Light 2?
No, there is no romance system in Dying Light 2, though your choices do determine your relationship with her. By making the correct choices, you can achieve an outcome where you leave the city with Lawan.
15. How does the story of Dying Light 2 connect to Dying Light 1?
Dying Light 2 occurs 15 years after the events of the first game, and acknowledges the events of the original. It explores the consequences of the Harran virus and continues the universe in a new city.